Pioneer 220s. Which -RW media you recommend?

[NiteLite]

Hi:
I need suggestions on what -RW media and speed are compatible with the Pioneer 220s.
I picked up some Maxell (made in Taiwan) and about 75% success rate is all I can get.
I looked for TY but I guess they dont make -RW media.
Any owners found something that works good with this unit? (and where to buy online...I usually shop Rima)
Thanks very much.
NL

My 75% success refers to errors when transfering to my computer. Some just will not rip. Used many ripping programs.

[Frobozz]

I use Maxell DVD-RW with my Pioneer 510H and they have been pretty good for transfers to my Mac. It works best for me to record in VR mode rather than video mode because the latter are full of time code breaks that have caused problems for me with some applications. But since this works for you much of the time you may be right to try different media in case there are some major errors on some of those discs. I don't know of any Made in Japan -RW media. Have you checked the DVD Media database link on the left of this page?

[lumis]

I purchased a 25 pack of Fujifilm DVD-RW's from Office Depot when I first purchased my 225 (same as 220) 2 or 3 years ago, the discs that I haven't scratched up still work great. With proper care, the discs should work for a long long time.

As far as your explanation for success rate, that's quite odd. Every disc that has recorded on my 225, has always been able to be transferred to my PC. In fact I've never even had a problem recording, even on slightly scratched discs. This recorder really is a champ.

[Seeker47]

I need suggestions on what -RW media and speed are compatible with the Pioneer 220s.

This reply is based on the assumption that what works for my 520 (+ HDD model) should also work for the 220 or the 320. I think that is so, but I could be wrong. I've had quite good results with the TDK 4x -RWs, which I've purchased in 25-spindles at CompUSA -- usually for $25., on rare occasions at a "Manager's Special" of $20. The label says they are made in Taiwan. I can tell you they might be the only 4x -RWs I've seen on the shelves. All the others seem to be 2x. I've also used these on the computer, for certain tasks. CompUSA keeps making noises about discontinuing to carry these, so if you try them and like them as much as I do, it might be a good idea to stock up.

[budz]

I've use MAXELL & SONY DVD-RW made in japan discs with my 220 unit with no problems. Since MAXELL has most of their dvd media manufactured by Ritek I haven't bought any new spindles for a long time.

[rhegedus]

My 5100 has become increasingly picky with media over the past year.

Most -RW media I tried would work a couple of times before giving read errors with DVD decrypter. Sony, TDK and Verbatim all gave problems after half a dozen burns. The only brand that hasn't caused problems on multiple uses is Philips -RW 1-2x (my Pioneer 'can't see' x4 -RWs).

As much as I love my Pioneer, unless they include +R/RW in their future DVDR/HDR drives, I'll be looking elsewhere for a replacement when the time comes.

[NiteLite]

I really appreciate all the suggestions and help.
The last disc that failed to rip to computer stopped at 5200kb in the first .VOB file.
Shrink failed 1st analysis...said copy protection???
Decrypter and FabDecrypter stopped ripping at the same spot. Maybe a bad disc even though I saw nothing on the disc and it plays back fine in the Pioneer.
I picked these up at a Walmart and there's no telling as I know Walmart buys 2nds, closeouts, overstocks and any cheap thing out there.
As one mentioned this disc was on it's 3rd or 4th write. Maybe -RW is more delicate to scratch, dust, etc than -R. Just guessing.
To the VR suggestion I thought Video Mode was more compatible. I will read some more on that. Maybe I got something confused.
Fuji and TDK suggestions...I certainly will try to find some and check them out. I was thinking that they were probably Ritek like these Maxell's
It looks like I just got a bad 15 stack of discs. I'll know more with further use.
I just found a Fuji, made in Singapore, MCC code 2X that came with a Plestor drive.
If it works ok I'll try to find more MCC, Verbatim

One last thing that crossed my mind was writing with the Pioneer and using computer to erase. Maybe I should use the Pioneer to undo finalize, then Initialize all on the same unit....Still thinking out loud.

Budz, Where are you finding Maxell and Sony -RW made in Japan?
I cant find them online. Would appreciate a little help.

Once again, much appreciation to all for your time.
NL

[budz]

Budz, Where are you finding Maxell and Sony -RW made in Japan?
I cant find them online. Would appreciate a little help.

Sorry I should've mentioned that I bought those made in japan dvd-rw discs over a year ago. I got the Sony from Compusa and the Maxell's from Walmart and Office Depot. Back then I bought many spindles of them so I haven't had to purchase more. It's getting harder to find "MADE IN JAPAN" media from the retail stores. I even have a few Sony dvd+rw spindles that I haven't used yet.

I don't use the computer to erase the dvd-rw discs. I let the Pioneer 220 recorder initialize over the disc to erase it. I only use the VIDEO MODE to record.

[trhouse]

I use TDK X4, dvd-rw's exclusively with a Pioneer 531H. Sometimes I just use them to offload some recordings on the hard drive to -rw in VR mode to free up room on the hdd. With VR mode, I can upload it back to the hdd without re-encoding for editing and then burning to dvd-r in video mode. It might be just the luck of the draw but none of the TDK's has gone bad.

Here is the media code,

[colt4523]

I use the same 10 sony's over and over again without a single problem. I bought then from Walmart a while ago

[BobK]

I've been using Ritek -RWs with my 220 for over a year without any problems. I bought a 25-pack when I got the recorder and have been using the same 3 disks since then, probably average using each disk 1-2 times a week, so that's at least 50-75 burns on each and still working.

I've also used TDKs without any problem.

[NiteLite]

Once again a big thank you to everyone. You've given a lot of good info to work with.
As with all things new I expect a few learning errors here and there.
It came to me to try some "scan disc" on this stack of Maxells and see what comes up. I'm leaning towards just a few bad disc in the lot. That's something I'm not used to - buying Taiyo Yuden -R from Rima I don't get bad discs.
Anyway...Thanks for teaching me some of the fundementals of -RW recording.
Regards,
NL

[vhelp]

Evening everyone.

It's nice to know that vcdhelp members are plentyful in the 220-S units

You know, I rely on my 220-S unit to record 100% flawless programs.

( mine are the Star Trek series, all of them - thanks to another member
cue'ing me on the continued exhistance of their broadcast - I thought they stopped )

I main use -R disks, because at the cost ($12.99 per 50pk at CC) they are
plentyful. And, the Pioneer unit is very reliable unit. It may be that
one of the reasons for its success is not just the unit's craftmenship,
but maybe in addition to, using low-speed disks. Mine are 8x, but the
software tool (name escapes me) reported 4x for these brand disks. That's no biggie
to me. What is important, is the reliability of the disks.

(hmm.. should we be saying disc or disk ? ) anways.

I have used and still use, -RW disks. The exact model/case number, I can't
recall, but the brand are from Maxwell. But, it is my belief that all disks,
even cheap'os will work flawlessly in the 220-S models. We just have to utilize
them w/ wisdom.

TIP:

For instance, if your intent is to transfer them to PC, when you are complete,
don't format them in the PC. You'll just be confuing your DVD Recorder. Instead,
re-initialize them in the recorder unit. When I use the -RW's, I use the
quick format, and it usually takes 10 seconds.

Also, don't waist your time seeking for MAX speed disks. The DVD Recorder's
do not take that advantage point. They still work in 2x speeds. So, using the
slowest, like 4x is fine vs. a 10x or higher. So, remember what you're shopping
for.. the 220-S, and not your PC.

Also, if your PC is not working well with reading the disks that your 220-S unit
is happily using w/ flawless success, the better solution would be to replace
the PC dvd-rom unit with another one that is more in tune with the 220-S's
benefit. If you are in that boat then maybe another thread could be raised
and you could ask what is the recommended dvd-rom drive that will work hand-in-hand
with the 220-S unit.

-vhelp 3945